The 26th Annual Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days, sponsored by the Crossroads Agricultural Society, was held on August 10-12 at the Crossroads Ag Park, Pine Lake. Old-fashioned fun for the entire family was had under beautiful blue skies.
The weekend kicked off with a great dinner show on Friday night. The evening began with a delicious Alberta beef dinner prepared by Roselie and Andy Engman and family. Following the dinner, the Crossroads Ag Society was proud to present a classic rock music show. Everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed singing along and rocking with the greatly entertaining band, My Dog Sam.
Our agricultural theme for 2012 was based on farm safety. Jim Vincent organized a colourful display, complete with colouring books and other neat giveaways, depicting many farm safety strategies for both adults and children.
This year's fair theme was “A Salute to the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.” Fair exhibits were judged Saturday morning and beautifully displayed in the west wing throughout the weekend. Fair chairperson, Judy Dreeshen, complimented the quality of the exhibits, and expressed the pride by which the Crossroads Ag Society showcases the creative talent of the local artisans.
The 2012 Grand Aggregate Winner of the Fair Exhibits was Tammy Malin Mazubert of Calgary.
Section Aggregate Winners were as follows:
Grains & Grasses (sponsored by Dave Smith) won by Margaret Mose
Preserves (Milnerton WI) won by Gwen Renouf & Lynne Kadar
Baking (Lake View Ladies Club) won by Tammy Malin Mazubert
Needlecraft (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Karin Douglas
Handcraft (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Shirley Thomas
Art (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Shirley Thomas
Photography (Eugene and Loretta Moran) won by Tammy Malin Mazubert
Flowers, Vegetables, & Fruit (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Lynne Kadar
Special Cup & Saucer Award (Crossroads Ag Society) won by Carol Moore
Golden Age (Ghost Pine 40 + Club) won by Shirley Thomas
Pee Wee (Pine Lake Cannons) won by Hailey Malin Mazubert
Junior A (12 & Under) (Pine Lake Cannons) won by Nicolas Malin Mazubert
Junior B (17 & Under) (Eugene and Loretta Moran) won by Sarah Dancey Fletcher
The Ed Beckingsale Memorial Trophy for highest overall achievement in Grains & Grasses was presented to Margaret Mose by Winnie (Beckingsale) MacFadyen of the Beckingsale family.
The Greta Hargreaves Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the baking class was presented by Ann (Hargreaves) Gelinas to Tammy Malin Mazubert.
The Special Award Class (cup and saucer arrangement with fresh flowers, any colour) was donated by the Crossroads Ag Society and won by Carol Moore of Pine Lake.
The Eugene Moran Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Junior A class (12 and under) was presented by Kathy Lynn Moran to Nicolas Malin Mazubert.
The Marlene Dancey Memorial Award for highest overall achievement in the Junior B class (17 and under) was presented by Ken Dancey to Sarah Dancey Fletcher.
The Table of Outstanding Articles featured articles from the following exhibitors:
Anne Moore for Double Crust Pie
Doug Wood for White Cake & Woodworking
Carol Moore for Cup & Saucer
Winnie MacFadyen for Relish
Joy Douglas for Jam
Teresa Roluink for Wall Hanging
Victor Lawrence for Vase of Lilies
Tammy Malin Mazubert for Flower Photo Enlargement
Sarah Dancey Fletcher for Collage (Junior B)
Quinn Malin for Lego (Junior A)
Hailey Malin Mazubert for Play-Doh Creation (Pee Wee)
There were many special events at this year's fair which provided a fun family weekend for all ages. Fair chairperson, Judy Dreeshen, appreciated the efforts of the many sponsors and volunteers in bringing such a great event to the community with free admission to the grounds.
Children's entertainment on Saturday afternoon (sponsored by Green Acres Resort, Pine Lake) featured games coordinated by Valerie Domoney much to the delight of the many children in attendance.
Kiddies' races (sponsored by Servus Credit Union, Innisfail) featured old-fashioned sack races, partner races, three-legged races, dashes and long-distance runs for ages two to 17. First-, second- and third-place winners received ribbons. All of the children who participated had a great deal of fun and received a bag full of prizes for their efforts.
The Kiddies Scavenger Hunt (sponsored by Leisure Campground, Pine Lake) took place on Sunday afternoon. The children gleefully roamed the lovely nature trails of the Crossroads Ag Park looking for their treasures. All received prize bags upon their return.
The Sunday morning pancake breakfast (sponsored by Central Alberta Co-op and Freeman's Insurance Agency, Innisfail) was served to over 200 people, who enjoyed a hearty helping of pancakes, bacon and sausage. Celebrity pancake flippers, Earl Dreeshen, Member of Parliament, Red Deer and Luke Ouellette, former minister of transportation, along with a great crew of volunteers, did an excellent job of preparing and serving a delicious breakfast.
The Sunday tea (sponsored by the Crossroads Ag Society) followed the exhibit awards presentations and featured an artistically decorated cake served with tea, coffee, and juice.
All sporting events were very well attended again this year.
The Poker Walk (sponsored by Farm Business Consulting, Red Deer) participants enjoyed a leisurely walk through the three kilometres of beautiful wild flowers and berries along the nature trails, where indentations of the old wagon trail can still be seen in the virgin prairie wool grasses. Winners of the event were Debbie Desnoyer (Pine Lake), Ella Hoppins (Huxley), and Michelle Anderson (Calgary).
The Doubles Cribbage Tournament (sponsored by Penhold Building Supplies, Penhold) trophies went to winners Roland and Terry Anderson (Red Deer). The Lydia Moore Memorial Trophy, dedicated in memory of area pioneer and longtime fair volunteer and cribbage enthusiast, Lydia Moore, was presented by Judy (Moore) Dreeshen and Bonnie (Moore) Langevin. Close Runners-up were Judy and Devin Dreeshen (Pine Lake). Third place went to Ken and Lori Dancey (Pine Lake).
The Doubles Bean Bag Tournament (sponsored by Llewellyn Plumbing, Innisfail) was a very popular event again this year. The A Event was won by Mason and Clenton Engman (Pine Lake). Runners-up were Steve Blair and Cory Banfield (Red Deer). The B Event was won by the team of Ernie Gelinas and Christina Hoppins (Huxley). Runners-up were Ken Dancey and Byron Dancey (Pine Lake).
The Men's Doubles Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Whispering Pine Golf & Country Club, Pine Lake) A Event winners were Ron Miller and Jerry Wiles (Red Deer). Runners-up were Hugh Hargreaves and Gilbert Likness (Pine Lake). The B Event was won by the team of Devin Dreeshen and Roland Anderson (Pine Lake). Runner-ups were Ernie Gelinas and Daryl Roberts (Huxley).
The Ladies' Doubles Horseshoe Tournament (sponsored by Heritage Spruce Farm, Pine Lake) A Event was won by Sadie Langevin and Terry Anderson (Pine Lake). The B Event winners were Bonnie Langevin and Debbie Desnoyer (Pine Lake).
The Mixed Slow Pitch Tournament (sponsored by the Crossroads Ag Society and Southside Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep, Red Deer) was the feature sporting event of the weekend, with 16 family and community teams competing. Ball tournament coordinator, Roselie Engman, did an excellent job of organizing the event. The A Event medallion winners were the Dirty Kids (Didsbury), with runner-up, the Johnny Mac Selects (Calgary). The B Event featured an exciting rematch of two local teams that were in last year's final game. The B Event was won by Pine Lake Cannons (Pine Lake) with runner-up, Hoppins Howlers (Huxley). The C Event was won by the Royal Dingers (Calgary) with runner-up, Liquor Pigs (Calgary). The D Event was won by We Got the Runs (Devon) with runner-up, Take That Pitches (Olds). The E Event was won by Master Batters (Alix) with runner-up, Platinum Shafts (Trochu).
Organizers expressed great satisfaction with the success of the fair. A special salute goes to the many volunteers and sponsors who contribute so generously of their time and money for the betterment of our community.
Everyone is cordially invited to attend the 27th Annual Pine Lake Country Fair & Sports Days, on the second weekend of August 2013, for a wonderful old-fashioned, fun-filled country fair experience.
